Industry, Academia, or National Lab Post-Doc

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SUMMARY

For PhD candidates in Material Science aspiring to become tenured university professors, the choice between postdoctoral positions in industry, academia, or national labs is crucial. The discussion highlights that postdoc positions are generally similar across these sectors, but national labs typically offer higher salaries. Key experimental techniques mentioned include ion implantation, SEM, Auger, and XPS, alongside computational methods like ab-initio and MD modeling. Ultimately, the decision should align with personal career goals and preferences.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Material Science principles and methodologies
  • Familiarity with experimental techniques such as ion implantation, SEM, Auger, and XPS
  • Knowledge of computational modeling techniques, specifically ab-initio and MD modeling
  • Awareness of academic career pathways and postdoctoral opportunities
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences in postdoctoral experiences between academia and national labs
  • Explore funding opportunities and salary comparisons for postdocs in various sectors
  • Investigate the impact of research focus (experimental vs computational) on academic hiring
  • Learn about networking strategies for securing postdoc positions in desired fields
USEFUL FOR

PhD candidates in Material Science, aspiring university professors, and researchers evaluating postdoctoral opportunities in academia, industry, or national labs.

Modey3
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Hello,

I am wondering if anybody has any advice on which direction is better for somebody who hopes to work as a tenured university professor. I am a PhD candidate in Material Science. My work is 70% experimental (ion implantation, SEM,Auger, and XPS) and 30% computational (ab-initio, and MD modeling). What do universities prefer? Thanks.

Best Regards

Modey3
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A postdoc is a postdoc. Grab 'em while you can no matter where.

The only difference being that, on average, the postdoc appointment at National Labs tends to have higher pay than universities.

Zz.
 

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